Frequently Asked Questions

Top Class Concrete Treatments

Will my grout crack?

Concrete always moves (expands and contracts) so yes it may crack in the grouted expansion cuts. However, it is usually a crack straight along one edge of the grout line. On rare occasions it may chip or crack on both sides and fall out, if this happens, we will be happy to repair this for you.

Can I choose the grout colour?

A large percentage of the grouting work that we undertake is done using standard grey grout. If youwould like your grout to be darker, we will happily do this for you. We do not recommend attempting to match the colour of your grout with the colour of your concrete.

Why does concrete crack?

As concrete is continually moving, expansion cuts are placed in the concrete to help determine where we would like the cracking to happen to allow free movement of the substrate. Unfortunately, sometimes the concrete moves in other ways and therefore cracks may appear in random areas where expansion cuts have not been placed.

Can overlay/resurface treatments be put over timber floors?

Yes, it can be. We lay down cement-based slate and tile board first so that the overlay can be laid on top of it.

Can I have any pattern I like?

In most cases yes, however, if there are expansion cuts in your concrete it is a good idea to work them into the pattern to disguise them.

Are there different types or levels of acid washing?

Yes, there are 3 different levels of acid washing. A light acid wash is just enough to lightly clean thesurface and open the concrete enough to apply sealer. A medium acid wash is just enough to expose some of the fine sands in the concrete. A hard acid wash or acid etch creates full exposure of the sand content in the concrete. This hard wash is good for non-slip purposes or for a "burnt" look to coloured decorative concrete.

Can I choose the level of gloss?

Yes, you can. Sealer comes in low sheen, semi-gloss and gloss.

At what stage of the building process does the interior concrete sealing start?

It is recommended that the sealing takes place toward the end of the build before built so that no damage is done to the finished product. It is preferred that the kitchen be placed once the sealing process has finished – without scratching the floor.

How long does the interior sealing process take and when can I walk on the sealed area?

On a coloured concrete floor we typically use 2 -3 coats of sealer and is applied according to the manufactures specification which can be upto 24 hours apart. There is to be no foot traffic for 5 days during the process and light traffic for a further 3.

Is interior sealed concrete slippery?

When wet, yes sealed concrete can be slippery, although it is no more slippery than tiles or vinyl.

Is exterior sealed concrete slippery?

When wet, yes sealed concrete can be slippery, however, we seal concrete with a clear silicone sand that ensures a non-slip finish.

How long after my exterior concrete has been sealed, can I walk and drive on it?

You will be able to walk on the sealed area between 1 & 3 hours after the final coat of sealer has been applied. Vehicles must be kept off the sealed area for 5 days.

Why is my sealed concrete look like it has measles after it rains?

Occasionally following sealing, some concrete surfaces may get dark patches when wet, that disappear upon drying. This is called 'measling' and is caused by microscopic holes/cracks/high-points in the sealer that allow small amounts of water into the concrete. It only happens from time to time and is the result of concrete being concrete, not the result of bad workmanship or faulty materials. Over time the effect will become less and less. To fix, we suggest topically applying more coats of sealer - sometimes many coats. We are careful not to add too many layers over large areas as it may increase slipperiness.

When should my concrete be re-sealed?

To keep your concrete looking at its best it should be re-sealed every 2-3 years. We provide this service and will send you a reminder letter when your concrete is due to be re-sealed.

Why is my coloured concrete inconsistent (patchy)?

Patchiness is most likely the inconsistent curing of concrete. However, concrete is a natural product and will always have different variations of your chosen colour. If you are looking for a consistent colour for your concrete, there are options available that will give you the desired finish.

My concrete has dried very uneven

Very occasionally a phenomenon called Pinto occurs in concrete, regardless of whether colour is used or not. It's not known the exact reason why this happens, but it seems to be related to the curing of the concrete i.e. how it dries and how moisture moves through the slab. Ensuring the consistency of the placing and curing across the slab should help to prevent this. It's very easy to fix, we can apply one of our resurfacing products to it and give you a new consistent coloured surface.